A rookie found his first professional goal in the most dramatic way possible. Ran Binyamin scored during the first minute of stoppage time to help FC Dallas pull off a 4-3 win against Real Salt Lake on Wednesday night.
The game in Sandy, Utah, was a total rollercoaster. Petar Musa led the scoring with two goals, which brought his league-leading total to 16. According to Yahoo Sports MLS, the Dallas squad has now secured 11 wins in Utah, the highest number for any visiting team. The victory also extended a scoring streak where Dallas has found the net in 14 straight games against RSL.
The scoring started early for the visitors. Joaquín Valiente scored in the 17th minute after a pass from Ramiro Benetti. Just three minutes later, Musa headed in a goal following assists from Valiente and Bernard Kamungo. Real Salt Lake fought back when Sergi Solans scored his ninth goal of the season in the 38th minute. This goal broke a rookie record for the club held by Corey Baird since 2018, per Yahoo Sports MLS.
A Wild Second Half Swing
The momentum shifted back and forth like a bad Waffle House shift. Valiente helped Musa score again in the final minute of the first half to make it 3-1. Real Salt Lake stayed in the fight during the second half. Morgan Guilavogues scored five minutes into the period, and Diego Luna tied the match in the 64th minute.
The stats from the night show just how much work the Dallas defense had to do. Jonathan Sirois made five saves to keep the team in the hunt. The team’s recent form is strong, as they are 4-1-2 in their last seven matches. Meanwhile, the opposition is struggling, as Rafael Cabral only stopped one shot during a 0-3-3 skid for Real Salt Lake.
The Impact of the Rookie Moment
Watching a rookie like Binyamin deliver a winner in stoppage time is why we watch sports. It reminds us that the next generation is ready to step up when the pressure is highest. That grit in the dying moments of a match matters just as much as the points in the standings.
Dallas looks like a team that knows how to win on the road. They are 6-3-2 away from home right now. This win against a team that has only won one of the last 11 matchups between the two sides proves they have the mental toughness needed for a deep run. Finding ways to survive tough environments is exactly what they’re doing out there.
Looking Ahead to Vancouver
The schedule doesn’t allow for much rest after such a high-scoring thriller. FC Dallas moves on to face the Vancouver Whitecaps this coming Saturday.
